Volunteer

Volunteers are critical to VIM’s mission of healing. Our dedicated team of volunteers are committed to helping others who are in need. Volunteers at VIM HHI conduct themselves with dignity, courtesy, kindness and consideration while working in a professional manner.

We are always looking for Physicians, Dental Professionals, Mental Health Professionals, Nurses, Pharmacists and Lay (Administrative) Volunteers. Experience is not necessary or required for our volunteer positions. We will train you! Many of our volunteers are retired, coming from many different careers and specialties.

To volunteer with us, there are only a few requirements:

Attend Volunteer Orientation prior to starting your service at VIM.
Be tested for Tuberculosis once per year by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. This test is conducted by VIM personnel on your first day of volunteering.
Sign and complete a confidentiality statement and a code of conduct agreement prior to beginning work.
Agree to be kind to our patients and treat each individual with respect and dignity.

Orientation is held on the third Tuesday of each month from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM. Click here to e-mail the Director of Volunteers for more information and to have your name put on the list. Space is limited.

Current Areas of Need for Volunteers

Physicians and Medical Personnel

(General practice, endocrinologist, ENT (Otolaryngologist), family practice, certified diabetes educators, bariatric medicine, pain management, chiropractic, radiology technicians, laboratory technicians, psychiatry/psychology, ophthalmology, optometry, dermatology, neurology)

Contact: Patty Diggs, Physician Coordinator and Scheduler (843) 681-6612 ext. 242 or pdiggs@vimclinic.org

Dental Professionals

(Dentists and dental hygienists)

Contact: Lisa Beddie, Dental Coordinator (843) 681-6612 ext. 249 or lbeddie@vimclinic.org

Nursing Professionals

(All general nursing staff, R.N., LPN, nurse aides, medical technologists, diabetic clinic staff nurse, nurse practitioners, nursing assistants, charge nurse)

Contact Julie Copp, RN, BSN, Director of Patient Care (843) 681-6612 ext. 229 or jcopp@vimclinic.org

Mental Health Professionals

Contact Doug Wolter, MSW, Director of Mental Health (843) 681-6612 ext. 232 or dwolter@vimclinic.org

Pharmacists

(Licensed or formerly licensed pharmacists)

Contact Dr. Ray Cox, Executive Director (843) 681-6612 ext. 226 or rcox@vimclinic.org

Lay (Administrative)

(Greeters and assistant greeters, screeners, patient scheduler, medical records support team, scanners, interpreter/translators, nursing desk secretary, fundraising or event planning and management, pharmacy assistant, dental assistant, clerical support, electronic medical records (data entry and trainings), lead clinical assistant, patient medications, clerical assistant)

Contact Stan Stolarcyk, Director of Volunteers (843) 681-6612 ext. 238 or sstolarcyk@vimclinic.org

Patient Volunteers

The majority of our patients are employed and support the clinic in a variety of ways. For example:

A “Green Team” of patient volunteers clean the clinic buildings daily, saving us nearly $30,000 in annual cleaning costs.
All of the landscaping and yard maintenance is provided at no cost by a small landscaping company whose employees rely on the clinic for care. This service saves VIM close to $5,000 annually.
Patient volunteers who work in construction keep the buildings maintained and make needed repairs free of charge.

Contact: Nena Balzola, Office Manager and Patient Navigator (843) 681.6612 or ext. 225 or nbalzola@vimclinic.org

Volunteer FAQS

Am I required to have an active medical license?

No. As long as you have been licensed to practice medicine in any state in the U.S. you are eligible to volunteer in the Clinic. A copy of your medical license from your prior state of residence will be required prior to volunteering.

Do I have to be licensed in the state of South Carolina?

No. Physician volunteers work under a special volunteer license in the state of South Carolina. Our credentialing office will take care of this process for you.

Do I need to carry malpractice insurance?

No. The Clinic covers all physicians under its own malpractice insurance as well as federal programs for volunteer physicians.

What if I’m a “snowbird”?

“Snowbirds” are welcome at all times. Our busiest clinics are usually in the late fall and winter when most of Hilton Head Island’s part-time snowbirds arrive. Additionally, if you are a part-time resident but are in town even for a week, please give us a call if you can help one morning or afternoon while you are here. We are delighted to have you at any time! Just give us a call and let us know that you are available.

What if my specialty does not involve direct patient care such as pathology?

We have a need for your knowledge in other areas of the Clinic such as our laboratory, triage service, outcomes management and clinical quality management programs just to name a few.

How much time is required to volunteer?

Some of our physicians and dentists volunteer every week for at least a half-day. Some physicians can only volunteer one or two days a month. We are happy to work with you in any way that is convenient to your schedule.

For more information, download the Physician Orientation Handbook 2018 and the Physician Orientation Handbook Attachments 2018.